Lou Groce ’11/M ’14, former graduate assistant in sports information, has landed a new job as director of media and information for the Midwest Conference.

Lou Groce ’11/M ’14, former graduate assistant to the sports information director, has landed a new job—one that’s perfectly suited for him.

Starting May 7, he’s the new director of media and information for the Midwest Conference (MWC), similar to the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW), but with 11 member institutions. He will handle all sports information duties for 20 sports among all the schools, manage the conference website and promote the MWC brand through various forms of written, visual and social media communications.

North Central College has installed modern LED lighting in Merner Field House to reduce energy and maintenance costs.

A sustainability project that modernized the lighting inside Gregory Arena and pool deck in Merner Field House will result in drastic reductions in energy consumption and maintenance costs in these facilities.

Over the winter months, new LED lights were installed with the help of $26,000 in grant funding from the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency through the City of Naperville toward the cost of the two projects. LED stands for Light Emitting Diode, a solid state form of lighting that converts electricity directly into light.

North Central College Athletic Director Jim Miller has announced the hiring of Kyle Exline as the first head coach of the Cardinals men’s volleyball program.

North Central College Athletic Director Jim Miller has announced the hiring of Kyle Exline as the first head coach of the Cardinals men’s volleyball program. (Story first published at northcentralcardinals.com.)

A former NCAA Division I player with coaching experience at the NCAA Division III, high school and club levels, Exline will spend the 2014-2015 academic year recruiting the team, which will take the court for North Central’s inaugural season in 2016.

North Central College students use their spring break to travel nationwide to serve others, build homes, help communities, sing and train for spring sports.

While some students may relax on a sunny beach during North Central College’s spring break, many will embark on service trips across the nation. Nearly 60 students will build homes, serve food at a homeless shelter and serve communities in Detroit, New York City, West Virginia and other locations. Some 48 Concert Choir members will perform in venues in Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois. Six athletic teams also head to warmer climates for competition.

Faculty/student panel discussion and screening of “Race to Nowhere: The Dark Side of America’s Achievement Culture” is set for Oct. 4.

North Central College will present the documentary, “Race to Nowhere: The Dark Side of America’s Achievement Culture,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, in the theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall. A faculty and student discussion, with audience participation, will follow the free event.

Josh McLeod’s dream of playing pro football became reality after signing and playing with Germany’s Frankfurt Universe pro team after North Central graduation.

Growing up in nearby Lisle, Ill., former North Central College safety Josh McLeod ’12 dreamed of playing professional football. Unlike many of his peers, McLeod achieved his dreams this summer, taking an unconventional route to the pro ranks by signing a contract with the Frankfurt Universe of the German Football League (GFL).

“My dream and goal since I was in junior high was to play pro football,” said McLeod. “I never thought it would be overseas, though.”